"See How They Run" by James Patterson(Thriller, spoiler warning)

This is an early Patterson thriller from the late seventies, published before his large successes with the Alex Cross series or Women's murder club series. It was originally published under the title "The Jericho Commandment."

The story follows a number of characters. One of the main characters is Doctor David Strauss. Strauss is propelled into danger when several members of his family are violently murdered. Investigation reveals a possible connection to neo-Nazis, and this is unfortunately a possibility since Strauss and his family are Jewish, as well as quite wealthy.

Strauss and his former sweetheart, Alix Rothchild, try to piece together what's happening, with help from the authorities and an experienced Nazi hunter.

But all is not as it seems.

Parts of the story follow the villains, showing them preparing their plot. This introduces an almost science fictional element to the plot, since it involves some hi-tech techniques that could be used to commit mass murder.

The trail eventually leads to the Olympic games in Moscow, 1980.

One thing I liked about this book was a twist that's revealed near the end, which I hadn't guessed at. Stories have been done before about neo-Nazism, and the idea of some attempt by former Nazis to rise again. When this book was written in the seventies, many high-ranking Nazis may well have still been alive.

But it turned out that it wasn't quite as straight-forward as that. I don't want to give away what actually happens, though, but I did find it to be a good twist and variation on this type of story.

As is usually the case with Patterson, the story is very intensely plot-driven. There is some characterization and development, and it works, but it's almost always within the context of the fast-moving plot.

Anyway, it's an enjoyable read, exciting and entertaining. I guess I wouldn't keep reading so many Patterson novels if I didn't like his style, would I? And if the bestseller lists are any indication, I guess a lot of people agree with me.